Joseph McCook/RCMP

By Vernon Matters Staff

Christmas

Man found dead in Lake Country on Christmas, foul play suspected

Dec 29, 2025 | 10:37 AM

Police are investigating what they are calling a suspicious death on Christmas Day.

Lake Country RCMP say officers were called to a location in the 16,000 block of Gatzke Road in the Okanagan region on Thursday at around 9:30 p.m.

They say they found a 43-year-old man identified as Joseph Robert McCook dead at the scene.

Investigators say foul play is suspected, and the Mounties’ major crimes unit has taken over the case.

Police have not released additional details surrounding the death.

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Mounties said they were releasing a photo of Joseph McCook to further their investigation, and police are looking for public assistance in determining the circumstances that led to his death

They are urging anyone with information to contact the RCMP immediately.

With files from The Canadian Press

by Vernon Matters Staff

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